North Korea Tests Cruise Missiles, Cites Nuclear "Deterrence"

North Korea announced it successfully test-fired long-range strategic cruise missiles. The state-run media reported the launch was conducted to verify the reliability of the country's nuclear deterrence forces. The missiles were fired into the sea off the Korean Peninsula's west coast. State media described the weapons as a key part of North Korea's "strategic" arsenal, a term typically used for nuclear-capable systems. The test reinforces North Korea's ongoing weapons development. It focuses on systems designed to evade missile defenses and deliver potential nuclear strikes. Analysts note cruise missiles fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles. This makes them harder for radar to detect and intercept. There was no immediate comment from South Korea, Japan, or the United States. The launch follows recent military exercises by the United States and its allies in the region.